Deep within the criminal networks of the world, whispers spread fast.
News of the battle, of a boy who stood against Sephiss, traveled through black markets, underground broadcasts, and forbidden networks. Though the public feed had been cut, the criminal underworld had seen everything.
In the Marks estate, Tabashi Marks stared at a glowing screen. Rage simmered beneath his calm exterior "Moco bones and Braxill."
On the lower dexk of the Marks Mansion, his brother Oblastik was already moving, flanked by top wanted Gang Lord.
"We're going to the Zoner District," he snarled. "It's time we repay Northberry for humiliating our family name."
Within the Razor territory in the royal district, Jack Razor and his goons were stomping out a ma who failed to pay bakc his debt. His wrist band flickered and a screen popped up. He glanced at the screen. His goons continued to kick the man down.
Jack Razor began to chuckle.
"So first Tabashi and his brother obalistick, now Sephiss?" he laughed. "That kid is something else. Pure entertainment."
Elsewhere, in the decadent halls of the Sergen Estate, Yelly Sergen lounged on her throne of sweets.
"Well now," she purred, licking sugar from her fingers, "our little Northberry bear bear has found himself in quite the mess. Going toe-to-toe with an old man like Sephiss? Mmm... not a good look for the Zeta's."
She motions to her right hand "Starburst, go pay our little friend a visit, offer him an invitation to join the sergen family, we can provide him the best around the clock security from his eneimes here on Deerpoint and beyond the sky lands, and unlimited sweets."
Starburts 'On it, Bestie."
Her followers mostly the queer community echoed her laughter.
"Not a good look at all bestie."
Far away, within the floating BIO Fortress, Kantos, eldest of the Braxill brothers, walked the prison corridors lined with cells of mutated men, women, and children. Scientists moved nervously around him.
He stopped abruptly.
"Why are some of these cells empty?" he barked.
A trembling subordinate rushed forward. "S-Sir, you need to see this."
He handed Kantos a holographic feed.
Kantos' eyes widened.
"Northberry... beat Sephiss?"
The facility went silent.
Kantos "No way, where the hell did he get that power."
One of the guards whispered "Your brother... he must be incredibly powerful."
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Kantos smirked screamed . "You hear that, my little brother beat the so called Alpha Zeta Spheiss, and guess what?" He grined "I taught him everything he knows."
The entire facility hearing his words grew more fearful of him than ever before.
He turned sharply. "That's right so fear me and fill those cells. Every last one."
The guards snapped to attention.
"Yes, sir!"
Kantos laughed softly. "Northberry, so that's what you're going by now, I wonder how rich I'd be if I experimented on my little brother and sold him off to the highest bidder."
Far beyond the ruined stretches of the devastated lands lay the Zoner District, a region still standing but heavy with tension. Soldiers patrolled every street, their presence constant, their expressions grim. Among the identical buildings rose the newly established Zoner Knight Headquarters, its walls marked by urgency and fear.
Inside, a large round table sat at the center of the chamber.
Lanni stood at its head. Across from her were Gravixor, Levy, and Chief Soldier Inkwell.
"So," Lanni began, her voice steady despite the weight behind it, "in light of the recent events that claimed the lives of our knights and soldiers, I've called you all here. You are the last line standing between the royal family and the survival of the Zoner people."
LANNI
ABI: 36,000%
Inkwell bowed his head.
"Lady Lanni, my condolences to you, to Gravixor, and to Levy. I lost soldiers of my own defending our people. You have my full support."
"Thank you," Lanni said. "But what happened two weeks ago was only the beginning. Gather every soldier you can. We will need a full mobilization. A draft, if necessary. Everyone must help."
Inkwell rose sharply and slammed his fist against the table.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll gather every able body we have."
Lanni turned her attention to Levy. "You're an Artimancer. Perhaps you can teach others how to create weapons or defensive tools."
Levy hesitated. "I'll do it," he said quietly. "I don't have anywhere else to go. My mother is gone... and Dace told me my father would kill me if I ever returned to the Artimancer lands."
LEVY
ARTIMANCERY ABI: 12,000%
Lanni's expression softened. "I'm sorry, Levy. No child should ever endure that. You're safe here. Your strength will help us."
She turned to Gravixor. "You survived a battle with an Elder. That alone proves your strength. I need you to stay close, to protect him. After fighting Sephiss, he's become a target."
Gravixor lowered her head. "I will. I'll do whatever it takes to protect Braxll and avenge Euly."
GRAVIXOR
ABI: 5000%
"And I will avenge Hido," Lanni said quietly.
She straightened. "Then it's settled. This meeting is adjourned."
In a underground bunker room, Braxill sat alone on the floor.
Curled inward.
Broken.
The door creaked softly as it opened. Gradix stepped inside, a small bag clutched in her hand. The room was quiet, too quiet.
"Braxill," she said gently, her voice barely above a whisper. "How are you feeling?"
He didn't answer.
His eyes were empty, unfocused, staring through the air as if the world had slipped too far away for him to reach. He didn't even look up.
Gradix swallowed and stepped closer, lowering herself in front of him. She held out the small bag in her hands.
"I brought you some berries."
No response.
Her voice softened. "You haven't eaten in days."
Still nothing.
She hesitated, then spoke again, quieter this time.
"Braxill... you should eat. It's what Joy would've wanted."
Something inside him broke.
"I don't care what Joy wanted!" he snapped, his voice cracking. "I don't care about Joy! I don't care about your stupid berries! I could've helped, he sent me away! I want Grax! I want Grax!"
The words collapsed into sobs. His shoulders shook as tears streamed down his face, raw and uncontrollable.
Gradix moved without thinking. She knelt beside him and pulled him close, her hands coming up to cradle his face.
"Braxill..." she whispered.
He collapsed into her, the strength leaving his body all at once. His voice broke completely.
"Moco..."
She held him tightly, pressing his head against her chest, rocking him as his sobs wracked through him.
"I'm here," she murmured softly. "I'm not going anywhere. I will protect you untill the day you let me devour you."
He cried into her, and for the first time since it happened, he didn't cry alone. Moco cried too.